Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	May 10, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000727273
Entity Registrant Name	CADIZ INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-12114
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	77-0313235
Entity Address, Address Line One	550 South Hope Street, Suite 2850
Entity Address, City or Town	Los Angeles
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	90071
City Area Code	213
Local Phone Number	271-1600
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,770,275
Depository Shares [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares
Trading Symbol	CDZIP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	CDZI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ