Reply to "How to make a small pond look like real water?"

For larger waves, I've used ordinary clear caulk. Make sure it's paintable.  Put down a 1/4 inch bead, smooth one side into the "water" surface then after a 15-20 minute wait time,  lightly push or roll the top over to make the crest. Paint the lower portion of the waves the color of your water, leaving the crest alone. Then topcoat everything with high gloss varnish or whatever you're using.

You can make long lines of "rollers " coming up to shore.