2.2.0.25truefalse006000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes In Member's EquitytruefalseIn Thousandsfalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : CLECO POWER LLC [Member] {us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Members Equity [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $c00053http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001089819na0001-01-01T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsecnl_ClecoPowerLlcMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicnl_ClecoPowerLlcMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsecnl_MembersEquityMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicnl_MembersEquityMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMemberu000Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis} : Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss {dei_LegalEntityAxis} : CLECO POWER LLC [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $c00054http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001089819na0001-01-01T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseus-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMemberus-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsecnl_ClecoPowerLlcMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicnl_ClecoPowerLlcMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberu000Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : CLECO POWER LLC [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $c00051http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001089819na0001-01-01T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsecnl_ClecoPowerLlcMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicnl_ClecoPowerLlcMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberu000Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1false0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsetruefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabelinstant2008-01-01T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:001truefalsefalse820522000820522falsetruefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-4412000-4412falsetruefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse816110000816110falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section E Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 falsefalseMember's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 20072false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-764000-764falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse-764000-764falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 22, 23, 24, 25 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 falsefalseOther comprehensive income (loss), net of tax3false0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliatesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe distributions of earnings to an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a falsefalseDistribution to parent4false0cnl_NetIncomecnlfalsecreditdurationThe profit or loss of the entity net of income taxes for the reporting period, calculated and presented in the income...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse113832000113832falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse113832000113832falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe profit or loss of the entity net of income taxes for the reporting period, calculated and presented in the income statement in accordance with GAAP.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet Income5false0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabelinstant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:001truefalsefalse934354000934354falsefalsefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-5176000-5176falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse929178000929178falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section E Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 falsefalseMember's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 20086false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-495000-495falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse-495000-495falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 22, 23, 24, 25 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 falsefalseOther comprehensive income (loss), net of tax7false0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliatesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-30000000-30000falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse-30000000-30000falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe distributions of earnings to an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a falsefalseDistribution to parent8false0cnl_NetIncomecnlfalsecreditdurationThe profit or loss of the entity net of income taxes for the reporting period, calculated and presented in the income...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse111166000111166falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse111166000111166falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe profit or loss of the entity net of income taxes for the reporting period, calculated and presented in the income statement in accordance with GAAP.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet Income9false0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabelinstant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:001truefalsefalse10155200001015520falsefalsefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-5671000-5671falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse10098490001009849falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section E Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 falsefalseMember's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 200910false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse937000937falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse937000937falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 22, 23, 24, 25 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 falsefalseOther comprehensive income (loss), net of tax11false0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliatesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-150000000-150000falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse-150000000-150000falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe distributions of earnings to an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a falsefalseDistribution to parent12false0cnl_NonCashPropertyDonationNetOfTaxcnlfalsedebitdurationValue of property contributed in noncash investing and financing activities, net of tax.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse225732000225732falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse225732000225732falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryValue of property contributed in noncash investing and financing activities, net of tax.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNon-cash property donation, net of tax13false0cnl_NetIncomecnlfalsecreditdurationThe profit or loss of the entity net of income taxes for the reporting period, calculated and presented in the income...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse147405000147405falsefalsefalsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse147405000147405falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe profit or loss of the entity net of income taxes for the reporting period, calculated and presented in the income statement in accordance with GAAP.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet Income14false0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabelinstant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:001truefalsefalse12386570001238657falsetruefalsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-4734000-4734falsetruefalsetruefalse3truefalsefalse12339230001233923falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section E Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 falsefalseMember's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2010314Consolidated Statements of Changes In Member's Equity (CLECO POWER LLC [Member], USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue