why didnt you use nurbs to make a surface it would have been extremely easy

could you post your mesh or something similar to it. Id like to test that claim

the max format was by far the smallest but apprently you can’t attach the file directly.here’s a zip containing the file

	Attachment
sitemodel.zip

No attachment.

1) You must Zip (not rar or 7z or any other alternative) the file before attaching it.
2) The attached file must be below 3.5MB. Larger than that and you will need to upload the file to Rapidshare or other similar site and link to it.

Max 4.2 through 2010, XP-Pro 64 SP2.
NVidia 8800GTX-768 (Driver 185.85).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 4Gb Ram, 4Gb Swap, DX9.0c.

For a large area like a landscape I perhaps wouldn’t edit your geometry at all, my first approach would be to apply severl UV Maps in the modifier stack, each with a different map channel, to a fairly dense plane (which I would have converted to an editable poly).  Then I’d apply a composite material to the poly.  I’d create a number of sub-materials in the composite material (perhaps composite material is only available in 2010).  Then I’d apply a texture and a matching displacement map for each pond.  Each pond = a new map channel.  Then under each of the UV Maps in the modifier stack I would select the gizmo and move the textures/ponds are to where I want them.

You could draw the displacement map very simply in PS using a wide and soft air brush of a black on a square white background. 

If this doesn’t work then ummm...you could use the new graphit modelling tools to ‘paint’ displacement into your mesh.  Use Push.  Then Alt drag for pull.  This would take care of your displacement but you may still need multiple UV Maps on the stack to move the pond textures over the indented geometry. 

I’m sure what I just wrote is confusing, let me know if you need further explanation.