What term describes a channel with dense plantings used to manage stormwater runoff?

The term that describes a channel with dense plantings used to manage stormwater runoff is a vegetated swale. These swales are designed to slow down the flow of stormwater, allowing for absorption and filtration through the soil and vegetation. By using dense plantings, they promote evapotranspiration and help improve water quality by capturing sediments and pollutants before the water enters larger bodies of water or drainage systems.

In contrast, a retention pond is typically a constructed basins designed to hold water permanently or for extended periods, which aids in managing runoff but is not a channel and does not necessarily involve dense plantings. A drainage ditch, on the other hand, is usually meant for directing water flow rather than managing runoff with vegetation; it focuses on conveying water quickly rather than treating it. Filter fabric is a material used to prevent sediment migration but does not pertain to the channel itself or its vegetation role in stormwater management.