This procedure can be used to make realistic stream, swamps and ponds for any scale of miniature wargaming.

Materials needed:

Woodland Scenic brand flocks, grasses, stones, and "Realistic Water," Latex or acrylic paint (earth tones), enamel paint (blue or brown, to your preference for the water), heavy duty aluminum foil, Woodland Scenic brand rubber mold latex.

Tools required:

Scissors, ruler, paint brushes.

Decide what scale you want to build these pieces and set the width of the streams accordingly. Generally, you are not going to make the width exactly to scale. For example, a big stream five yards across would have to be 1/10 inch width in 15mm scale (1"=50 yards). I generally make mine between 1/4 and 3/4 inches wide and can use them for either 15mm or 25 mm gaming.

Next, determine how many and what kind of pieces you want. The exact length will be determined by how you will store these pieces when finished (to fit in the box, drawer, etc.). You'll want some fairly straight pieces, curves, S-curves, sections with a ford, Y-splits, etc.

Construction Steps:

1. Take a section of aluminum foil about two feet long and wrinkle it up to desired waviness. Then flatten it out again on a a table with the dull side of the foil up.

2. On the dull side paint on the "water," whether blue for clear deep water or brown colors for muddy or shallow water.

3. Cut out the shapes -- curves, straight pieces, etc. Be sure to leave at least 1/2 inch on each side of the water edge for land edge effects.

4. Detail fords, currents, etc., in the water with the appropriate color paint.

5. Using the acrylic craft paint or latex paints, brush on the "land" on either side of the water.

6. While paint is still wet for the land, go ahead and sprinkle on the flock.

7. Glue on any tall grasses, rocks, logs, fallen trees or other effects.

8. Paint over the "water" with the Realistic Water clear compound from Woodland Scenics, or an equivalent product. This give a depth visual effect and a shiny liquid appearance.

9. To give the piece strength turn over the finished item and paint on a thin layer of rubber latex and let dry.

Now you have a durable, flexible set of stream pieces you can use with any type of other hill or hexagonal terrain. The rubber backing allows the stream to grip the battlefield and not slip-slide around like plastic bag material or other things I've tried.

Enjoy your handiwork!