Edgar Filing: CADIZ INC

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-214318

This preliminary prospectus supplement relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, but the information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to the prospectus dated November 14, 2016)

Subject to completion, dated November 30, 2016

Cadiz Inc.

shares of Common Stock

We are offering up to shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CDZI.” On November 29, 2016, the closing sale price of our common stock was $10.35 per share.

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement for more information on these risks. This prospectus supplement should be read in conjunction with and may not be delivered or utilized without the prospectus dated November 14, 2016.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

	Per Share	Total
Public offering price
Underwriting discounts and commissions
Proceeds to us (before expenses)

We estimate the total expenses of this offering, excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $ . We have granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock from us on the same terms and conditions set forth above. If the underwriter exercises the option in full, the total underwriting discount payable by us will be $ and the total proceeds to us, before the payment of expenses, will be $ . See the section of this prospectus supplement titled “Underwriting.”

We anticipate delivery of the shares will be made on or about December , 2016, subject to customary closing conditions.

Sole Book-Runner

B. Riley & Co.

The date of this prospectus supplement is December , 2016.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS	S-1
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	S-1
SUMMARY	S-2
THE OFFERING	S-5
RISK FACTORS	S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS	S-7
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE	S-7
MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK	S-8
CAPITALIZATION	S-8
DILUTION	S-9
UNDERWRITING	S-11
LEGAL MATTERS	S-13
EXPERTS	S-14
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	S-14

PROSPECTUS

About This Prospectus	iii
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	iii
Available Information	iv
Information Incorporated by Reference	iv
The Company	1
About Cadiz	1
Corporate Information	1
Risk Factors	2
Use of Proceeds	3
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends	3
Description of Debt Securities	3
General	4
Subordination	6
Conversion and Exchange	6
Global Securities	7
Restrictive Covenants	7
Defeasance	7
Satisfaction and Discharge	8
Modification of the Indentures	8
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver	9
Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets	10
Governing Law	10
Description of Capital Stock	10
General	10
Common Stock	10
Certain Other Provisions of the Certificate	11
Limitations on Directors' Liability	11
Indemnification of Directors and Officers	11
Exchange Listing	11
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law	11
Description of Offered Preferred Stock	12
Description of Warrants	13
Exercise of Warrants	14
Description of Subscription Rights	14
Description of Units	15
Plan of Distribution	15
General	16
Underwriters and Agents	16
Dealers	17
Direct Sales	17
Institutional Purchasers	17
Indemnification; Other Relationships	17
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions	17
Legal Matters	18
Experts	18

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which contains more general information. Before you invest in shares of our common stock or our warrants, you should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with additional information described below under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information.”

If the description of this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely upon the information in this prospectus supplement. Any statement made in the prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

We are responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. This prospectus supplement may be used only for the purpose for which it has been prepared. Neither we nor any other person has authorized anyone to provide information different from the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

We are not making an offer to sell our common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus constitutes an offer or an invitation to subscribe for and purchase any of our securities, and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by any person, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein that are not historical facts should be considered “Forward Looking Statements” within the meaning of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “approximately,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “continue” or “anticipates” or similar expressions or words, or the negatives of those expressions or words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, our ability to maximize value from our Cadiz, California land and water resources and our ability to obtain new financings as needed to meet our ongoing working capital needs. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in, or suggested by, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions, or expectations will be achieved.

Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors are incorporated herein by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances, or any other reason, after the date of this prospectus supplement.

This summary highlights selected information included elsewhere in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, especially “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes and other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, before deciding whether to participate in the offering described in this prospectus supplement. Except where we state otherwise, the information we present in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares. In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, unless expressly noted or the content indicates otherwise, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Cadiz,” “company” and similar references mean Cadiz Inc. and it subsidiaries.

SUMMARY

About Cadiz

We are a land and water resource development company with 45,000 acres of land in three areas of eastern San Bernardino County, California. Virtually all of this land is underlain with high-quality, naturally recharging groundwater resources, and is situated in proximity to the Colorado River and the Colorado River Aqueduct (“CRA”), a major source of imported water for Southern California. Our properties are suitable for various uses, including large-scale agricultural development, groundwater storage and water supply projects. Our main objective is to realize the highest and best use of our land and water resources in an environmentally responsible way.

We believe that the long-term highest and best use of our land and water assets can best be realized through the development of a combination of water supply and storage projects at our properties. Therefore, the Company has been primarily focused on the development of the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project (“Water Project” or “Project”), which will capture and conserve millions of acre-feet^[1] of native groundwater currently being lost to evaporation from the aquifer system beneath our 34,000-acre property in the Cadiz and Fenner valleys of eastern San Bernardino County (the “Cadiz/Fenner Property”), and deliver it to water providers throughout Southern California (see “Water Resource Development”). We believe that the ultimate implementation of this Water Project will provide a significant source of future cash flow.

The primary factor driving the value of such projects is ongoing pressure on water supplies throughout California, which has led Southern California water providers to actively seek new, reliable supply solutions to plan for both short and long-term water needs. Available supply is constrained by environmental and regulatory restrictions on each of the state’s three main water sources: the State Water Project, which provides water supplies from Northern California to the central and southern parts of the state, the CRA and the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Southern California’s water providers rely on imports from these systems for a majority of their water supplies, but deliveries from all three into the region have been below capacity over the last several years.

Availability of supplies in California also differs greatly from year to year due to natural hydrological variability. Over the last several years, California has struggled through a historic drought featuring record-low winter precipitation and reservoir storage levels. In 2015, for the first time in the state’s history, California Governor Jerry Brown mandated rationing of 25% statewide in an effort to curtail urban demand. An “El Nino” weather pattern developed at the end of 2015 and brought wet conditions to California, yet snowpack and precipitation remain average for the year, especially in Southern California. According to the US Drought Monitor, as of February 2016, more than 99% of California remains abnormally dry. The Water Project is one of the few nearly “shovel-ready” supply options in Southern California that could help alleviate the region’s water supply challenges. See “Water Resource Development” below.

In addition to an urgent need in California for new, reliable water supplies, demand for agricultural land with water rights is also at an all-time high. Therefore, in addition to our Water Project proposal, we are pursuing ways in which the groundwater currently being lost to evaporation from the aquifer system at the Cadiz/Fenner property can be immediately put to beneficial use through sales, leasing, or agricultural joint ventures that are complementary to the Water Project.

___________

1 One acre-foot is equal to approximately 326,000 gallons or the volume of water that will cover an area of one acre to a depth of one-foot. An acre-foot is generally considered to be enough water to meet the annual water needs of one average California household.

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We have farmed portions of the Cadiz/Fenner Property since the late 1980s relying on groundwater from the aquifer system for irrigation and we believe the site is well suited for various permanent and seasonal crops. In 1993, we secured permits to develop agriculture on up to 9,600 acres of the property and withdraw groundwater from the underlying aquifer system for irrigation. We initially developed 1,900 acres of agriculture at the Property, including a well-field and manifold system and have since maintained various levels of agriculture at the Property as we focused on developing the Water Project. In February 2016, we completed arrangements to lease 2,100 acres of the Cadiz/Fenner Property for agricultural development as a result of significant interest from third parties in expanding agricultural activity at the Cadiz/Fenner Property.

As part of the agricultural expansion to be conducted under the lease arrangements, the groundwater production capacity of the Cadiz/Fenner Property’s existing well-field is expected to be increased, which will provide additional infrastructure that is complementary to the Water Project. Through work completed in 2015, including the drilling of three additional exploratory wells, we have now identified suitable locations for the drilling of high-production wells powered by natural gas that could produce all of the water allowable under our existing permit for implementation of the Water Project or alternatively to supply irrigation water for all of the agricultural land. While any additional well-field development for agricultural use would be financed by our agricultural partners as provided under our agricultural arrangements, the Company retained a call feature that allows us, at any time in the initial 20 years, to acquire the well-field and integrate any new agricultural well-field infrastructure developed into the Water Project’s facilities.

Our 2016 and 2017 working capital requirements relate largely to the final development activities associated with the Water Project and those activities consistent with the Water Project related to further development of our land and agricultural assets. While we continue to believe that the ultimate implementation of the Water Project will provide the primary source of our future cash flow, we also believe there is significant additional value in our underlying agricultural assets.

We also continue to explore additional uses of our land and water resource assets, including the marketing of our approved desert tortoise land conservation bank, which is located on our properties outside the Water Project area, and other long-term legacy uses of our properties, such as habitat conservation and cultural development.

Corporate Information

We are a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices located at 550 South Hope Street, Suite 2850, Los Angeles, California 90071. Our telephone number is (213) 271-1600. We maintain a corporate website at www.cadizinc.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.

Recent Developments

On March 5, 2013, we and Cadiz Real Estate LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary (collectively, the “Borrowers”), MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P., MILFAM II L.P. and Water Asset Management (collectively, the “Senior Lenders”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent for the Senior Lenders, entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).

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On November 29, 2016, we entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement (“Fifth Amendment”) for the purpose of (i) permitting the Borrowers to elect to satisfy the cash interest payment obligations under the Credit Agreement through the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock, based on a per-share price equal to the 10-day volume weighted average trading price of the common stock on the date of the election and (ii) extending the maturity date of the Credit Agreement from September 28, 2017 to September 28, 2019. Following each election by the Company to pay cash interest by the issuance of shares of its common stock, the Company will make each issuance on the applicable interest payment date to the Senior Lenders pursuant to a form of interest share issuance agreement to be executed by the Company with each Senior Lender. In connection with entering into the Fifth Amendment, the Company issued to the Senior Lenders, in accordance with their respective pro rata interests of the loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement, an aggregate of 357,500 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate 357,500 shares of its common stock. Such shares of common stock and the warrants were offered to the Senior Lenders pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-214318) and were issued to the Senior Lenders pursuant to a form of closing share and warrant issuance agreement executed by the Company with each Senior Lender. The shares of common stock underlying the warrants and the shares of common stock to be paid as interest to the Senior Lenders will be offered under such foregoing or similar registration statement, as available at exercise or issuance, as applicable. Any payment of any interest by the Company via shares of common stock under the Fifth Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of certain equity conditions, including the effectiveness a registration statement for such shares and a minimum 10-day volume weighted average trading price of the common stock on the date of payment of $1.00 per share.

The warrants have a five year term and an exercise price of $0.01 per share, subject to adjustment for corporate actions including, but not limited to, stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, corporate reorganizations and mergers (collectively, “Price Adjustments”) as well as certain dilutive issuances at a price per share (subject to Price Adjustments) below either of (i) the fair market value of the common stock, or (ii) $9.05, as provided pursuant to the terms of the warrants. A holder of a warrant may exercise the warrant, from time-to-time, commencing on the 180th day following the execution date of the Fifth Amendment and only if any principal or interest amounts are outstanding under the Credit Agreement at the time of exercise.

S-4

THE OFFERING

Issuer	Cadiz Inc.

Common stock offered by us pursuant to this prospectus supplement	shares

Common stock outstanding before this offering	19,753,506 shares (1)

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering	Shares

Price per share	$

Option to Purchase Additional Shares	We have granted the underwriter an option to purchase from us within 30 days following the date of this prospectus supplement up to an additional shares of common stock.

Use of proceeds	We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in this offering to fund our Water Project and general corporate purposes, which may include business development activities, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses.

Risk factors	Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and page S-2 of the accompanying base prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.

Lock-Up Agreements	Each of our directors, and executive officers and certain of our major stockholders have agreed that for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, they will be subject to a lock-up agreement prohibiting certain sales, transfers or hedging transactions in our securities held by them, subject to certain exceptions. See “Underwriting – Lock-Up Agreements.”

NASDAQ Global Market symbol	CDZI

(1) The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering as shown above is based on 19,753,506 shares outstanding as of November 29, 2016. The number of outstanding shares excludes, as of November 29, 2016:

1,182,500 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plans”), including:

507,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, issued pursuant to the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, with a weighted-average exercise price of $11.66;

179,865 Restricted Stock Units and Outside Director Compensation Plan shares issuable pursuant to the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan; and

200,000 Restricted Stock Units issuable in connection with obtaining construction financing for the Water Project;

357,500 shares of common stock to be issued in connection with the Fifth Amendment;

357,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants having an exercise price of $0.01 per share;

13,339,808 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible promissory notes at an average conversion price equal to $7.40; and

up to 800,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance, at the Company’s election provided certain conditions are satisfied, for the payment of interest due under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended.

S-5

RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to significant risks. Before you invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. See “Information Incorporated by Reference.” If any of the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein actually occur, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected in a material way. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, perhaps significantly, and you may lose part or all of your investment. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition and operations.

Risks Related to the Offering

You will experience immediate dilution in the book value per share of the common stock you purchase in this offering.

Because the price per share of our common stock being offered is substantially higher than the book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. If you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $ per share in the net tangible book value of the common stock, based on an offering price of $ per share. See the section titled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering.

We currently anticipate using the net proceeds from this offering to fund our Water Project and for general corporate purposes, which may include business development activities, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. We have not reserved or allocated specific amounts for any of these purposes and we cannot specify with certainty how we will use the net proceeds. Accordingly, our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may also be used for corporate purposes that do not increase our operating results or market value. Until the net proceeds are used, they may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.

Future sales of our common stock could lower our stock price and dilute existing stockholders.

We may, in the future, sell additional shares of common stock in subsequent public or private offerings. In October 2016, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC covering the possible offer and sale of an indeterminate amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, units, warrants and subscription rights for a maximum aggregate offering price of $40,000,000. The securities may be offered from time to time, separately or together, directly by us, or through underwriters, dealers or agents at amounts, prices, interest rates and other terms to be determined at the time of the offering.

In addition, we have issued approximately $73 million in convertible promissory notes which accrue interest at a rate of 7% per year. The principal and accrued interest underlying the notes are convertible into up to an aggregate of 13,339,808 shares of common stock. Furthermore, we recently entered into a Fifth Amendment to our Credit Agreement pursuant to which we issued to our lenders an aggregate 357,500 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 357,500 shares of common stock. As part of the Fifth Amendment, our lenders agreed that we could issue, so long as certain conditions were met, shares of our common stock for the payment of interest due under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. If we decide to pay the interest with shares of our common stock, we could issue as many as 800,000 shares of common stock.

S-6

We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares issued upon the exercise of stock options and warrants and conversion of convertible promissory notes), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. In addition, these sales may be dilutive to existing stockholders.

In connection with this offering, our executive officers, directors and certain major stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements restricting the sale of their shares of common stock for 90 days following the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain exceptions and extension in certain circumstances. However, the underwriter may at any time release all or a portion of the common stock subject to these lock-up provisions. When determining whether or not to release shares subject to a lock-up agreement, the underwriter will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and the possible impact of the release of the shares on the market price of our common stock. If such lock-up restrictions are waived, the affected common stock may be available for sale into the market, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Fluctuations in the price of our common stock may affect the number of shares of our common stock we issue for the payment of interest, which could adversely impact our stock price.

If we elect to pay interest due under our Credit Agreement, as amended by the Fifth Amendment, with shares of our common stock, we will issue to our lenders a number of shares of common stock rounded to the nearest whole number, equal to each lender’s pro rata interest divided by the per share volume weighted average price of our common stock on our principal trading market (currently The NASDAQ Global Market) for the ten trading days preceding the date of election. As of November 29, 2015, the number of shares of our common stock outstanding was 19,753,506. If we elect to pay the interest due with shares of our common stock, we could issue up to an additional 800,000 shares of common stock, depending on the market price of our common stock. If the trading price of our stock declines, we may be issuing a greater number of shares as interest payments than we would have otherwise issue for each such interest payment, and the subsequent resales of these shares may further depress the trading price of our stock.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $ million, or approximately $ million if the underwriter exercise in full the option to purchase additional shares of common stock, in each case, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated expenses related to the offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock to fund our Water Project and for general corporate purposes, which may include business development activities, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in short-term investments.

The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and our management will have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering.

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

The public offering price of the shares offered by this prospectus has been determined by negotiation between us and the underwriter. Among the factors considered in determining the public offering price of the shares were:

●

our history and our prospects;

●

the industry in which we operate;

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●

our past and present operating results; and

●

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering.

The offering price stated on the cover page of this prospectus should not be considered an indication of the actual value of the shares. That price is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors, and we cannot assure you that the shares can be resold at or above the public offering price.

MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CDZI”.

The following table sets forth the quarterly range of high and low sale prices of our common stock since January 1, 2014 as reported by Nasdaq. As of November 29, 2016, we had 19,753,506 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 91 stockholders of record.

2016	High	Low
October 1, 2016 through November 29, 2016	$10.50	$10.30
July 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016	5.64	7.97
April 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016	4.98	6.94
January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016	4.03	5.82

2015
October 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015	5.45	5.15
July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015	7.37	7.24
April 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015	8.70	8.53
January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015	10.66	10.21

2014
October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014	11.69	11.09
July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014	10.63	9.87
April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014	8.48	8.29
January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014	7.10	6.91

To date, we have not paid a cash dividend on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our senior secured term loan has covenants that prohibit the payment of dividends.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2016:

on an actual basis;

on a pro forma, as adjusted basis to give effect to our receipt of net proceeds of approximately $ million from the sale of shares of common stock we are offering at a public offering price of $ per share after deducting the underwriter’s fees and commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

This capitalization table does not include 13,339,808 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible notes and should be read in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. The information below is in thousands, except share data.

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	As of September 30, 2016 (unaudited)
	Actual	Pro Forma
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,893
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	--	--
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 70,000,000 shares authorized; 19,014,953 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016	190
Additional paid-in-capital	332,729
Accumulated deficit	(403,147)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	(70,228)

DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the combined public offering price per share and our pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing our net tangible book value, which is tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock.

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2016 was approximately $(74,041,000), or $(3.89) per share. After giving effect to the sale by us of shares of common stock offered hereby at the public offering price of $ per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2016 would have been approximately $ million, or $ per share. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of $ per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $ per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering. The following table illustrates the per share dilution to investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering:

Public offering price of common stock		$
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2016	$
Increase per share in net tangible book value after this offering	$
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2016, after giving effect to this offering		$
Dilution per share to new investors		$

The above table is based on 19,753,506 shares issued and outstanding as of November 29, 2016 and does not include:

1,182,500 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plans, including:

507,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, issued pursuant to the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, with a weighted-average exercise price of $11.66;

179,865 Restricted Stock Units and Outside Director Compensation Plan issuable pursuant to the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan; and

200,000 Restricted Stock Units issuable in connection with obtaining construction financing for the Water Project;

357,500 shares of common stock to be issued in connection with the Fifth Amendment;

357,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants having an exercise price of $0.01 per share;

13,339,808 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible promissory notes at an average conversion price equal to $7.40; or

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To the extent that the outstanding options or warrants are exercised, or shares are issued for payment of interest due under our Credit Agreement, you will experience further dilution. To the extent that the above issued options and warrants are exercised, and all 800,000 shares of common stock reserved for possible payment of interest are issued, the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock after giving effect to this offering would be $ per share, and the dilution in net tangible book value per share to purchasers in this offering would be $ per share. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of securities, the issuance of those securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

S-10

UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriter, B. Riley & Co., LLC, has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, shares of our common stock.

The underwriter is offering the shares subject to its acceptance of the shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriter to pay for and accept delivery of the shares offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by its counsel and to other conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of customary legal opinions, letters and certificates. The underwriter is committed to take and pay for all of the shares being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

If the underwriter sells more than shares, the underwriter will have an option to buy up to an additional shares from us. The underwriter may exercise that option at any time and from time to time during the 30-day period from the date of this prospectus supplement.

Discounts and Commissions

The underwriter proposes to offer the common stock directly to the public at the public offering price indicated on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After this offering, the public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the underwriter. No reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as indicated on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The shares of common stock are offered by the underwriter as stated in this prospectus supplement, subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriter’s right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The following table summarizes the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before payment of other expenses by us assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares:

		Total
	Per share	Without Purchase of Additional Shares	With Purchase of Additional Shares
Public offering price
Underwriting discounts and commissions
Proceeds to us before payment of other expenses

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for its expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel up to $40,000 in the aggregate). We estimate that the total expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to in the table above, will be approximately $[_________], which includes approximately $[_______] in expenses incurred by the underwriter (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) and $[_________] in expenses incurred by us (including the fees and expenses of our counsel, independent registered public accountants and other miscellaneous expenses).

The underwriter and its affiliates may, in the future, perform various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they will receive customary fees and expenses.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against various liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriter may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

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Lock-Up Agreements

We and our directors, executive officers and certain major stockholders (collectively, the “Locked-Up Stockholders”) have agreed with the underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or transfer any common stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with common stock, during the period from the date of this prospectus supplement until 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement (the “Lock-Up Period”), except with the prior written consent of B. Riley & Co., LLC. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

●

offer, pledge, sell, assign or contract to sell any common stock or securities convertible into common stock or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;

	●	engage in any short selling of common stock or securities convertible into common stock or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;

	●	make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable for common stock;

●

otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock; or

●

enter into any swap, hedge or other agreement or arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock or securities convertible into common stock or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Locked-Up Stockholders may transfer common stock (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, (ii) by will or intestate succession; (iii) if the Locked-Up Stockholder is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity and (1) transfers to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is a direct or indirect affiliate or (2) distributes shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable for common stock to limited partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the Locked-Up Stockholder; (iv) if the Locked-Up Stockholder is a trust, transfers to the beneficiary of such trust; provided, in each case, that (x) such transfer does not involve a disposition for value, (y) the transferee agrees in writing with the underwriter to be bound by the terms of the lock-up agreement and (z) no filing by any party under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be required or will be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer (other than a filing of a Form 5 made after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period); (v) in connection with transactions related to the exercise or settlement of any equity awards issued to the Locked-up Stockholder pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans or the exercise of warrants issued by the Company; provided that such restrictions shall apply to the securities issued to the Lock-up Stockholder upon such exercise; or (vi) to the Company in connection with the full or partial payment of exercise or purchase prices and taxes or tax withholding obligations required to be paid or satisfied upon the settlement, vesting or exercise of any equity award or warrant granted or issued by the Company; and (vii) in connection with sales pursuant to a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 10b5-1”) and existing as of the date of this prospectus; provided, however, that Timothy J. Shaheen, our Chief Financial Officer, and Keith Brackpool, Chairman of our Board of Directors, may establish a sales plan that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 in order to effect sales of up to 32,000 shares of common stock and 50,000 shares of common stock, respectively, prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, for the sole purpose of covering tax payments that may be owed by Mr. Shaheen or Mr. Brackpool in connection with certain equity awards granted to them by the Company.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until this offering is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriter and certain selling group members to bid for and purchase shares of our common stock. As an exception to these rules, the underwriter may engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions, purchases to cover positions created by short sales and passive market making. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriter under the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriter can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriter may also sell shares in excess of the option to purchase additional shares, creating a naked short position. The underwriter must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriter may bid for, and purchase, shares of common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the common stock. The underwriter may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the shares of common stock in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed shares of common stock to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the shares of common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market of the shares of common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the shares of common stock.

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In connection with this transaction, the underwriter may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market, prior to the pricing and completion of this offering. Passive market making is permitted by SEC Regulation M and consists of displaying bids on The NASDAQ Global Market no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker’s average daily trading volume in the common stock during a specified period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may cause the price of the common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions.

These activities by the underwriter may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriter is not required to engage in these activities. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriter without notice at any time. These transactions may be effected on The NASDAQ Global Market or otherwise.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriter of the offering, or by its affiliates. Other than the prospectus supplement in electronic format, the information on the underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriter is not part of this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriter in the capacity as an underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CDZI.”

Selling Restrictions

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of our common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or our common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, our common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with our common stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction, except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, Los Angeles, California.

S-13

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register with the Commission the securities being offered in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which constitute a part of the registration statement, do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. For further information about us, and the securities being offered, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Any statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and registration statements and other information with the Commission. You may read and copy any reports, statements, or other information that we file, including the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part, and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement, without charge at the public reference room maintained by the Commission, located at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from the Commission on the payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. Our filings with the Commission, including the registration statement, are available to you on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, documents that we file with the Commission are available on our website at www.cadizinc.com. Unless specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, information contained on our website is not, and should not be interpreted to be, part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus specified documents we file with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, which are filed after the effective date of the registration statement and prior to the termination of the offering of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we “furnish” to, and not file with, the Commission in accordance with its rules and regulations. The information we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement is an important part of the prospectus of which this prospectus supplement is a part .

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the information contained in the following documents, which is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement:

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on March 14, 2016;

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016, filed on May 9, 2016, August 8, 2016 and November 9, 2016, respectively;

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2016, March 10, 2016, April 29, 2016, May 11, 2016, May 26, 2016, June 14, 2016, June 23, 2016 and November 30, 2016;

S-14

our definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 26, 2016, but only to the extent that such information was incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

the description of our common stock as set forth in our registration statement filed on Form 8-A under the Exchange Act on May 8, 1984, as amended by reports on:

Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 26, 1988;

Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 2, 1992;

Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 18, 1999; and

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on November 2, 2004

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

Our filings with the Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and definitive proxy statement, and any amendments to those filings, are available free of charge on our website (www.cadizinc.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the Commission. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this prospectus supplement. You may also obtain a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Cadiz Inc.

550 S. Hope Street

Suite 2850

Los Angeles, California 90071

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (213) 271-1600

We will provide without charge upon written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any and all of the documents which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at the above address.

No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in this prospectus supplement, and, if given or made, such information and representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus nor any sale made hereunder will under any circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in our business, financial condition or affairs since the date hereof.

S-15

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About This Prospectus			iii
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			iii
Available Information			iv
Information Incorporated by Reference			iv
The Company			1
About Cadiz			1
Corporate Information			1
Risk Factors			2
Use of Proceeds			3
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends			3
Description of Debt Securities			3
General			4
Subordination			6
Conversion and Exchange			6
Global Securities			7
Restrictive Covenants			7
Defeasance			7
Satisfaction and Discharge			8
Modification of the Indentures			8
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver			9
Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets			10
Governing Law			10
Description of Capital Stock			10
General			10
Common Stock			10
Certain Other Provisions of the Certificate			11
Limitations on Directors' Liability			11
Indemnification of Directors and Officers			11
Exchange Listing			11
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law			11
Description of Offered Preferred Stock			12
Description of Warrants			13
Exercise of Warrants			14
Description of Subscription Rights			14
Description of Units			15
Plan of Distribution			15
General			16
Underwriters and Agents			16
Dealers			17
Direct Sales			17
Institutional Purchasers			17
Indemnification; Other Relationships			17
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions			17
Legal Matters			18
Experts			18

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the "Commission", using the "shelf" registration process. Under the shelf registration process, using this prospectus, together with a prospectus supplement, we may sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the securities being offered. A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, the information in this prospectus will be superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the additional information incorporated by reference in this prospectus described below under "Available Information" and "Information Incorporated by Reference" before making an investment in our securities.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under "Available Information."

Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, including any information incorporated in this prospectus by reference, the accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of such securities is not permitted.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "we," "us," "our," "Cadiz," and "the Company" refer to Cadiz Inc., a Delaware corporation.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference that are not historical facts should be considered "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in, or suggested by, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions, or expectations will be achieved.

Certain risks, uncertainties, and other factors are incorporated herein by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, along with the other information contained in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances, or any other reason, after the date of this prospectus.

iii

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission" or the "SEC"). We have also filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Commission. This prospectus, which forms part of the registration statement, does not have all of the information contained in the registration statement. You may read, free of charge, and copy, at the prescribed rates, any reports, proxy statements and other information, including the registration statement, at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information concerning the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information, including the registration statement. The website address is: http://www.sec.gov.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file with them. The information we incorporate by reference into this prospectus is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement in a document we have filed with the Commission prior to the date of this prospectus and which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be considered to be modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in the prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. The modified or superseded statement will not be considered to be a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information contained in the following documents, which is considered to be a part of this prospectus:

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on March 14, 2016;

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2016, March 10, 2016, April 29, 2016, May 11, 2016, May 26, 2016, June 14, 2016 and June 23, 2016;

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, filed on May 9, 2016 and August 8, 2016, respectively;

the description of our common stock as set forth in our registration statement filed on Form 8-A under the Exchange Act on May 8, 1984, as amended by reports on:

Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 26, 1988;

Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 2, 1992;

Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 18, 1999; and

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on November 2, 2004

We also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are filed after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement or that are filed after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the termination of the offering of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to "furnish" and not file in accordance with the Commission rules.

You may obtain a copy of these filings, without charge, by writing or calling us at:

Cadiz Inc.
550 South Hope Street
Suite 2850
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: Investor Relations
(213) 271-1600

No dealer, salesperson, or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in this prospectus, and, if given or made, such information and representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this prospectus or in our affairs since the date hereof.

THE COMPANY

About Cadiz

We are a land and water resource development company with 45,000 acres of land in three areas of eastern San Bernardino County, California. Virtually all of this land is underlain with high-quality, naturally recharging groundwater resources, and is situated in proximity to the Colorado River and the Colorado River Aqueduct ("CRA"), a major source of imported water for Southern California. Our properties are suitable for various uses, including large-scale agricultural development, groundwater storage and water supply projects. Our main objective is to realize the highest and best use of our land and water resources in an environmentally responsible way.

We believe that the long-term highest and best use of our land and water assets can best be realized through the development of a combination of water supply and storage projects at our properties. Therefore, the Company has been primarily focused on the development of the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project ("Water Project" or "Project"), which will capture and conserve millions of acre-feet¹ of native groundwater currently being lost to evaporation from the aquifer system beneath our 34,000-acre property in the Cadiz and Fenner valleys of eastern San Bernardino County (the "Cadiz/Fenner Property"), and deliver it to water providers throughout Southern California (see "Water Resource Development"). We believe that the ultimate implementation of this Water Project will provide a significant source of future cash flow.

The primary factor driving the value of such projects is ongoing pressure on water supplies throughout California, which has led Southern California water providers to actively seek new, reliable supply solutions to plan for both short and long-term water needs. Available supply is constrained by environmental and regulatory restrictions on each of the State's three main water sources: the State Water Project, which provides water supplies from Northern California to the central and southern parts of the state, the CRA and the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Southern California's water providers rely on imports from these systems for a majority of their water supplies, but deliveries from all three into the region have been below capacity over the last several years.

Availability of supplies in California also differs greatly from year to year due to natural hydrological variability. Over the last several years, California has struggled through a historic drought featuring record-low winter precipitation and reservoir storage levels. In 2015, for the first time in the state's history, California Governor Jerry Brown mandated rationing of 25% statewide in an effort to curtail urban demand. An "El Nino" weather pattern developed at the end of 2015 and brought wet conditions to California, yet snowpack and precipitation remain average for the year, especially in Southern California. According to the US Drought Monitor, as of February 2016, more than 99% of California remains abnormally dry. The Water Project is one of the few nearly "shovel-ready" supply options in Southern California that could help alleviate the region's water supply challenges. (See "Water Resource Development" below.) In addition to our water resource development activities, we also continue to explore additional uses of our land and water resource assets, including new agricultural opportunities, the development of a land conservation bank on our properties outside the Water Project area and other long-term legacy uses of our properties, such as habitat conservation and cultural uses.

¹ One acre-foot is equal to approximately 326,000 gallons or the volume of water that will cover an area of one acre to a depth of one-foot. An acre-foot is generally considered to be enough water to meet the annual water needs of one average California household.

We have farmed portions of the Cadiz/Fenner Property since the late 1980s relying on groundwater from the aquifer system for irrigation and we believe the site is well suited for various permanent and seasonal crops. In 1993, we secured permits to develop agriculture on up to 9,600 acres of the property and withdraw groundwater from the underlying aquifer system for irrigation. We initially developed 1,900 acres of agriculture at the Property, including a well-field and manifold system and since have maintained various levels of agriculture at the Property as we focused on developing the Water Project. In February 2016 we completed arrangements to lease 2,100 acres of the Cadiz/Fenner Property for agricultural development as a result of significant interest from third parties in expanding agricultural activity at the Cadiz/Fenner Property.

As part of the agricultural expansion to be conducted under the lease arrangements, the groundwater production capacity of the property's existing well-field is expected to be increased, which will provide additional infrastructure that is complementary to the Water Project. Through work completed in 2015, including the drilling of three additional exploratory wells, we have now identified suitable locations for the drilling of high-production wells powered by natural gas that could produce all of the water allowable under our existing permit for implementation of the Water Project or alternatively to supply irrigation water for all of the agricultural land. While any additional well-field development for agricultural use would be financed by our agricultural partners as provided under our agricultural arrangements, the Company retained a call feature that allows us, at any time in the initial 20 years, to acquire the well-field and integrate any new agricultural well-field infrastructure developed into the Water Project's facilities.

Our 2016 working capital requirements relate largely to the final development activities associated with the Water Project and those activities consistent with the Water Project related to further development of our land and agricultural assets. While we continue to believe that the ultimate implementation of the Water Project will provide the primary source of our future cash flow, we also believe there is significant additional value in our underlying agricultural assets.

Corporate Information

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Certain risks relating to us and our business are described under the headings "Business" and "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Commission on March 14, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and which you should carefully review and consider, along with the other information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, before making an investment in any of our securities. Additional risks, as well as updates or changes to the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference herein, may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The market or trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In addition, please read the section of this prospectus captioned "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", in which we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks and uncertainties. If one or more of the events discussed in the risk factors were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, as well as the value of an investment in our securities, could be materially adversely affected.

You should carefully consider the risk factors as well as the other information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus before deciding to invest.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and each prospectus supplement, the "offered securities", will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital needs, the refinancing or repayment of existing indebtedness, capital expenditures, expansion of the business and acquisitions. If any of the net proceeds from the offered securities will be used for acquisitions, we will identify the acquisition in the applicable prospectus supplement. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term securities or to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

The ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements are set forth below for the periods indicated.

			Year Ended December 31,
	Six months ended June 30, 2016		2015	2014	2013	2012	2011
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)

(a)

Both (1) fixed charges and (2) combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements exceeded our earnings (loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2016 by $14.4 million and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 by $24.0 million, $18.9 million, $22.7 million, $19.9 million, and $16.8 million, respectively.

For the purpose of calculating both the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements, earnings represent net income from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, less undistributed equity earnings, plus applicable income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, include interest expense (other than on deposits) and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense, net of income from subleases. Fixed charges, including interest on deposits, include all interest expense and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense, net of income from subleases.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The debt securities may constitute either senior or subordinated debt securities, and in either case will be unsecured, and may also include convertible debt securities. We will issue any debt securities that will be senior debt under an Indenture between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Senior Indenture"). We will issue any debt securities that will be subordinated debt under an Indenture between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Subordinated Indenture"). We may also issue debt securities under the Indentures between Cadiz Inc., as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated as of March 5, 2013 and December 10, 2015 (the "Existing Indentures"). This prospectus refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture individually as the "Indenture" and collectively as the "Indentures." The form of Senior Indenture and the form of Subordinated Indenture are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part while the Existing Indentures are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement. The term "trustee" refers to the trustee under each Indenture, as appropriate.

The Indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the Subordinated Indenture. The following summary of the material provisions of the Indentures and the debt securities is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures, each of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read the Indenture that is applicable to you because it, and not the summary below, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. You can obtain copies of the Indentures by following the directions described under the heading "Available Information."

General

The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to our "Senior Indebtedness", as defined below in the section titled "Subordination". As of June 30, 2016, all of our $118,891,459 aggregate principal amount of existing debt would have ranked senior to the subordinated debt securities and $76,223,279 aggregate principal amount of our debt would have ranked equally with the senior debt securities. The Indentures do not limit the amount of debt, either secured or unsecured, which may be issued by us under the Indentures or otherwise. We may limit the maximum total principal amount for the debt securities of any series. However, any limit under the Indentures may be increased by resolution of our Board of Directors. We will establish the terms of each series of debt securities under the Indentures in a supplemental Indenture, board resolution or company order. The debt securities under the Indentures may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue discount. Debt securities sold at an original issue discount may bear no interest or interest at a rate which is below market rates.

The Indentures do not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring debt or agreeing to limitations on our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us, although the terms of specific debt securities may include such limitations. The agreements governing our indebtedness, including the Existing Indentures, contain limitations on our ability to incur debt or liens, conduct asset sales and pay dividends.

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series under the Indentures without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the applicable Indenture.

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, each series of our senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment and be subordinate to all of our unsubordinated debt.

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under the Indentures or under the Existing Indentures. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities we offer in a supplement to this prospectus or other offering material. The prospectus supplement and other offering material relating to a series of debt securities will describe the terms of such debt securities being offered, including (to the extent such terms are applicable to such debt securities):

the title of the debt securities;

designation, aggregate principal amount, denomination and currency or currency unit;

date of maturity;

the price or prices at which we sell the debt securities and the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued;

whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and applicable subordination provisions, if any;

any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities and the ability to issue additional debt securities of the same series;

currency or currency units for which such debt securities may be purchased and in which principal of, premium, if any, and any interest will or may be payable;

interest rate or rates (or the manner of calculation thereof), if any;

the times at which any such interest will be payable;

the date or dates from which interest will accrue on the debt securities, or the method used for determining those dates;

the place or places where the principal and interest, if any, will be payable;

any redemption, sinking fund, satisfaction and discharge, or defeasance provisions;

whether such debt securities will be issuable in registered form or bearer form or both and, if issuable in bearer form, restrictions applicable to the exchange of one form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of certificates in bearer form;

whether and under what circumstances we may from time to time, without the consent of holders of debt securities, issue additional debt securities, having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the debt securities being offered, except for the issue price and issue date and, in some cases, the first interest payment date, whereby such additional securities will, together with the then outstanding debt securities, constitute a single class of debt securities under the Indentures, and will vote together on matters under the Senior Indenture;

if material, federal income tax consequences;

whether and under what circumstances we will issue the debt securities in whole or in part as Global Securities as described below under "Global Securities";

applicable conversion or exchange privileges;

any defaults and events of defaults applicable to the debt securities to be issued;

securities exchange(s) on which the securities will be listed, if any;

whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities;

extent to which a secondary market for the securities is expected to develop;

provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture;

any covenants or restrictions on us or our subsidiaries; and

any other specific terms of the offered debt securities, including any terms in lieu of those described in this prospectus and any terms which may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations such as those made a part of the applicable Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Material United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt securities may be presented for exchange, and registered debt securities may be presented for transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and as summarized in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such services will be provided without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such exchange or transfer, but subject to the limitations provided in the applicable Indenture. Debt securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, appertaining to such debt securities will be transferable by delivery.

Subordination

The indebtedness represented by the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to existing and future "Senior Indebtedness," as described in the Subordinated Indenture and any accompanying prospectus supplement. The term "Senior Indebtedness" means:

all indebtedness for money borrowed incurred by us, unless the terms of the instrument or instruments by which such indebtedness is incurred or created expressly provide that such indebtedness is subordinate to the subordinated debt securities or that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities,

any other indebtedness, obligation or liability incurred by us (including any guaranty, endorsement or other contingent obligation of ours in respect of, or to purchase, or otherwise acquire, any obligation of another), direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or matured or unmatured, which is specifically designated by us as Senior Indebtedness in the instruments evidencing such indebtedness, obligation or liability at the time of its issuance or incurrence, or

any deferral, renewal or extension of any of the foregoing.

“Senior Indebtedness" does not include:

our debt to any of our subsidiaries;

any series of subordinated debt securities issued under the Subordinated Indenture, unless otherwise specified by the terms of any such series;

any of our other debt which by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it is specifically designated as being subordinated to or pari passu with the subordinated debt securities; and

any trade payables.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks senior in priority of payment to the subordinated debt securities. A prospectus supplement relating to each series of subordinated debt securities will describe any subordination provisions applicable to such series in addition to or different from those described above.

By reason of such subordination, in the event of dissolution, insolvency, bankruptcy or other similar proceedings, upon any distribution of assets, (i) the holders of subordinated debt securities will be required to pay over their share of such distribution in respect of the subordinated debt securities to the holders of Senior Indebtedness until such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and (ii) creditors of ours who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than holders of subordinated debt securities.

Conversion and Exchange

The terms, if any, on which debt securities of any series will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, our preferred stock, another series of our debt securities, other securities, property or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be summarized in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either on a mandatory basis, at the option of the holder, or at our option, in which the number of shares or amount of our common stock, our preferred stock, another series of our debt securities, other securities, property or cash to be received by the holders of the debt securities would be calculated according to the factors and at such time as summarized in the related prospectus supplement.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Restrictive Covenants

We will describe any restrictive covenants, including restrictions on any subsidiary, for any series of debt securities in a prospectus supplement.

Defeasance

At our option, either (a) we will be Discharged (as defined below) from any and all obligations in respect of any series of debt securities under the Indenture or (b) we will cease to be under any obligation to comply with the restriction on our ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets set forth in the applicable Indenture, the requirement that we maintain our existence or certain other restrictions, in either case if we deposit irrevocably with the trustee, in trust, specifically for the benefit of the holders of such series, money or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants in the case of U.S. Government Obligations or a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations) to pay all the principal of (including any sinking fund payments or analogous obligations), and interest on, the debt securities of such series on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such series of debt securities. To exercise such option, we are required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that holders of the debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax in the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and discharge had not occurred.

The term "Discharged" is defined to mean that we are deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the debt securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under the Indenture relating to the debt securities of such series, except for

the rights of holders of the debt securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described above, payment of the principal of and the interest on the debt securities of such series when such payments are due;

our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series with respect to temporary debt securities, registration, transfer, exchange, replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost and stolen certificates, maintenance of a paying office and holding money in trust; and

the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee under the applicable Indenture.

The term "U.S. Government Obligations" is defined to mean securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and also includes a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company, as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

Satisfaction and Discharge

In addition, an Indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of a series issued under that Indenture, subject to certain exceptions generally relating to compensation and indemnity of the trustee, when either:

all outstanding debt securities of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and we have paid all sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to such series, or

all outstanding debt securities of that series not delivered to the trustee for cancellation either: (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year; and we have deposited irrevocably with the trustee, in trust, specifically for the benefit of the holders of such series, money or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants in the case of U.S. Government Obligations or a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations) to pay all the principal of (including any sinking fund payments or analogous obligations), and interest on, the debt securities of such series on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such series of debt securities.

Modification of the Indentures

Modifications and amendments of each Indenture may be made by us and the trustee without the consent of the holders of the debt securities or with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities affected by such modification or amendment; provided however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security;

reduce the principal amount of or interest on, or any premium payable upon redemption of, any debt security;

change certain other terms related to waiver of past defaults or covenants (such as covenants and provisions of the Indenture that may not be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected); or

reduce the percentage of the principal amount of the outstanding debt security of any series, the consent of whose holders is required to modify or amend the applicable Indenture or waive compliance with, or consent to certain defaults under, the provisions of such Indenture.

Our Board of Directors does not have the power to waive any of the covenants of each Indenture, including those relating to consolidation, merger or sale of assets.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

The following will be "Events of Default" with respect to any particular series of the debt securities under the Indentures:

default in any payment of interest on such series when due, continued for 30 days;

default in any payment of principal and premium, if any, of, or sinking fund installment on, such series when due;

default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of ours applicable to such series continued for 60 days after written notice to us by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of such series;

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

any other event of default we may provide for that series.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

The trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default with respect to any series of the debt securities, give to the holders thereof notice of such default known to the trustee, unless such default has been cured or waived (the term default for this purpose means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default); provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of such series of debt securities or in the payment of any sinking fund installments, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series.

We will be required to furnish to the trustee each year a statement as to the fulfillment by us of our obligations under the applicable Indenture.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, in respect of such series, waive certain defaults and may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, provided that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable Indenture. The trustee has the right to decline to follow any such direction if the trustee in good faith determines that the proceeding so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of such series not joining in any such direction or would involve the trustee in personal liability. Each Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of the debt securities, the trustee will be required to exercise any of its rights and powers under such Indenture with the degree of care and skill such as a prudent man would exercise in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the direction of any of the holders of such debt securities unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the trustee in complying with such direction.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of such series may declare such series due and payable.

Each Indenture provides that no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under such Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal or interest or premium, if any) unless the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of such series have requested the trustee to institute such action and have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity, and the trustee has not instituted such action within 60 days of such request.

Consolidating, Merger or Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or sell our assets substantially as an entirety, unless:

the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the corporation which acquires our assets is organized in the United States and expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the debt securities, if any, issued under the applicable Indenture and the performance of every covenant of such Indenture to be performed by us; and

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing.

Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which we are merged or to which such sale is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, us under such Indenture.

Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any accompanying prospectus supplement, the Indentures and the debt securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or a highly leveraged transaction involving us.

Governing Law

New York Law will govern the Indentures and the debt securities, without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following statements relating to our capital stock do not purport to be complete, and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate") and By-Laws, as amended (the "By-Laws") which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

The Certificate authorizes a total of 70,100,000 shares of capital stock, of which 70,000,000 may be shares of common stock and 100,000 may be shares of preferred stock.

As of June 30, 2016, 18,677,053 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and options and warrants to purchase 507,500 shares of common stock issued to directors, employees, consultants and lenders remain outstanding. As of June 30, 2016, the number of stockholders of record of our common stock was 93.

Common Stock

Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, record holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as the Board of Directors may declare. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held in their name on all matters submitted to a vote of shareowners and do not have preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights. Holders of common stock are not subject to further calls or assessments as a result of their holding shares of common stock.

If Cadiz is liquidated, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to share ratably in the distribution remaining after payment of debts and expenses and of the amounts to be paid on liquidation to the holders of shares of preferred stock.

The transfer agent for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.

Certain Other Provisions of the Certificate

Delaware law permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the corporation or to any of its shareowners for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for certain unlawful dividends and stock repurchases or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Certificate provides for such limitation of liability.

The Certificate does not permit stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders. In addition, special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Limitations on Directors' Liability

Our Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the personal liability of a director to us and our shareowners for monetary damages for certain breaches of his or her fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

This provision offers persons who serve on our Board of Directors protection against awards of monetary damages resulting from certain breaches of their fiduciary duty, including grossly negligent business decisions made in connection with takeover proposals for us, and limits our ability or the ability of one of our shareowners to prosecute an action against a director for a breach of fiduciary duty.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our By-Laws and Certificate provide that we will indemnify any of our directors, officers or employees to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware against all expenses, liability and loss incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which any such person may be involved by reason of the fact that he or she is or was our director, officer or employee. We carry insurance policies in standard form indemnifying our directors and officers against liabilities arising from certain acts performed by them in their capacities as our directors and officers. These policies also indemnify us for any sums we may be required or permitted to pay by law to our directors and officers as indemnification for expenses they may have incurred.

Exchange Listing

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "CDZI".

Anit-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

Cadiz is subject to the "business combination" provisions of Section 203 of Delaware law. In general, such provisions prohibit a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in various "business combination" transactions with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless

prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status, the Board of Directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareowners by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

A "business combination" is defined to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to an interested stockholder. In general, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts with respect to Cadiz and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire Cadiz even though such a transaction may offer Cadiz's shareowners the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

DESCRIPTION OF OFFERED PREFERRED STOCK

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of our preferred stock. When we offer to sell a particular series of preferred stock, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to the particular series of preferred stock. The preferred stock will be issued under a certificate of designations relating to each series of preferred stock and is also subject to our Certificate of Incorporation. The certificate of designations will be filed with the SEC in connection with an offering of preferred stock.

Under the Certificate of Incorporation, our Board of Directors has the authority to

create one or more series of preferred stock,

issue shares of preferred stock in any series up to the maximum number of shares of preferred stock authorized, and

determine the preferences, rights, privileges and restrictions of any series.

Our Board may issue authorized shares of preferred stock, as well as authorized but unissued shares of common stock, without further shareholder action, unless shareholder action is required by applicable law or by the rules of a stock exchange or quotation system on which any series of our stock may be listed or quoted.

The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any preferred stock being offered, including:

the number of shares and designation or title of the shares;

any liquidation preference per share;

any date of maturity;

any redemption, repayment or sinking fund provisions;

any dividend rate or rates and the dates of payment (or the method for determining the dividend rates or dates of payment);

any voting rights;

if other than the currency of the United States, the currency or currencies including composite currencies in which the preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;

the method by which amounts in respect of the preferred stock may be calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation;

whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the securities or rights into which the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable, and the terms and conditions of conversion or exchange;

the place or places where dividends and other payments on the preferred stock will be payable; and

any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.

All shares of preferred stock offered will be fully paid and non-assessable. Any shares of preferred stock that are issued will have priority over the common stock with respect to dividend or liquidation rights or both.

Our Board of Directors could create and issue a series of preferred stock with rights, privileges or restrictions which effectively discriminates against an existing or prospective holder of preferred stock as a result of the holder beneficially owning or commencing a tender offer for a substantial amount of common stock. One of the effects of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of capital stock may be to make it more difficult or discourage an attempt by a potential acquirer to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. This protects the continuity of our management. The issuance of these shares of capital stock may defer or prevent a change in control of our company without any further shareholder action.

The transfer agent for each series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We may issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. If we offer warrants, we will file the warrant agreement relating to the offered warrants as an exhibit to, or incorporate it by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

the title of the warrants;

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

the aggregate number of warrants;

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, if applicable, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

the exercise price payable for each share of common stock or preferred stock upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

the number and terms of the shares of common stock or preferred stock which may be purchased per each subscription right;

the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;

the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more subscription rights, warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or any combination of such securities issued by us or by third parties. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

the terms of the units and of the subscription rights, warrants, debt securities, preferred stock and common stock comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange or the units.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions;

directly to purchasers;

through agents;

to or through underwriters or dealers; or

through a combination of these methods.

A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants and subscriptions.

In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:

a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;

purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; or

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers.

In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

A prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

the terms of the offering;

the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

any delayed delivery arrangements;

any initial public offering price;

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation;

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

in an "at the market" offering within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act;

at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

at negotiated prices.

General

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be "underwriters" as defined in the Securities Act of 1933. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement, as the case may be.

Underwriters and Agents

If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales will be made at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of the sale. We may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless the applicable prospectus supplement says otherwise. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

We may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

Dealers

We may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale.

Direct Sales

We may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

Institutional Purchasers

We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.

We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.

Indemnification; Other Relationships

We may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.

Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common stock which is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, any such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights on any securities exchange or quotation system. Any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

Any underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, Los Angeles, California. If legal matters in connection with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

shares of Common Stock

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Sole Book-Runner

B. Riley & Co.

The date of this prospectus supplement is December , 2016