Split-ponds systems are emerging as a potential catfish production system with capabilities of improving productivity in the catfish industry. However, adoption of these systems requires a significant understanding of design and involves significant capital outlay. Hence production performance of these designs under controlled conditions over multiple years on commercial scales provides fundamental information for the continued adoption of these systems. The Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center (TCNWAC) was at the epicenter of design, development, and testing of four design variants of commercial-scale split-pond systems. These four designs are primarily differentiated by the mechanism of water circulation between the fish culture pond area and the waste treatment pond area. The water moving devices include the slow rotating paddlewheel (SRP), modified paddlewheel aerator (MPA), screw pump (SP), and axial-flow pump (AP). This study investigated the economic and investment feasibility of these four split-pond designs using data collected over various years of research at the TCNWAC. An economic engineering approach using standard enterprise budget analysis was used to develop estimates of annual costs and returns for producing food size hybrid catfish from four split-pond systems. The additional investment capital required for converting a traditional open pond into any of the four split-pond designs ranged from $54,400 to $71,150 per 4-ha pond and involves the cost of earthwork, installation labor, water circulation devices, generators, inlet structures, additional 7.5-kwh paddlewheel aerators, and an automated oxygen monitor. Cost of production ranged from $2.03 to $2.37/kg. However, the breakeven yields required to cover total costs were also high showing financial risk associated with high intensity production systems (Table 1). Net present value (NPV) was highest for the MPA design at $226,397 and lowest for the SP design at $76,520. Similarly, the modified internal rate of return (MIRR) was highest for the MPA design at 31% and lowest for the SP design at 27%. All four designs were found to be economically feasible under current conditions with modified paddlewheel design showing greater potential.