Pension Plan and Employee Benefits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 3,136,000	$ 4,837,000	$ 6,088,000	$ 9,417,000
Other Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	645,000	700,000	1,288,000	1,400,000
Assets held-in-trust, noncurrent	0		0
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	1,225,000	1,770,000	2,520,000	3,186,000
CLECO POWER | Other Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	700,000	800,000	1,500,000	1,600,000
CLECO POWER | SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	100,000	400,000	400,000	700,000
Other Subsidiaries | Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 600,000	$ 500,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 1,000,000