A system for treating a tissue site, comprising: a dressing (220, 320, 420) to distribute reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source to the tissue site, comprising: a manifold layer to be positioned proximate the tissue site, a first storage layer (154, 454a) for absorbing fluid communicated from the tissue site and positioned proximate the manifold layer, a plurality of first fluid communication channels disposed through the first storage layer (154, 454a), a first retainer disposed in each of the first fluid communication channels, wherein the first retainers substantially preclude deformation of the first storage layer (154, 454a) into the first fluid communication channels so as to substantially preclude blockage of the first fluid communication channels as the first storage layer absorbs fluid communicated from the tissue site, a second storage layer (254, 454b) for absorbing fluid communicated from the tissue site and positioned in fluid communication with the first storage layer (154, 454a), a plurality of second fluid communication channels disposed through the second storage layer (254, 454b), a second retainer disposed in each of the second fluid communication channels, wherein the second retainers substantially preclude deformation of the second storage layer (254, 454b) into the second fluid communication channels so as to substantially preclude blockage of the second fluid communication channels as the second storage layer (254, 454b) absorbs fluid communicated from the tissue site, wherein the second fluid communication channels are laterally offset from the first fluid communication channels; and a sealing member to cover the dressing (220, 320, 420) and to provide a fluid seal between the sealing material and the tissue site. a dressing (220, 320, 420) to distribute reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source to the tissue site, comprising: a manifold layer to be positioned proximate the tissue site, a first storage layer (154, 454a) for absorbing fluid communicated from the tissue site and positioned proximate the manifold layer, a plurality of first fluid communication channels disposed through the first storage layer (154, 454a), a first retainer disposed in each of the first fluid communication channels, wherein the first retainers substantially preclude deformation of the first storage layer (154, 454a) into the first fluid communication channels so as to substantially preclude blockage of the first fluid communication channels as the first storage layer absorbs fluid communicated from the tissue site, a second storage layer (254, 454b) for absorbing fluid communicated from the tissue site and positioned in fluid communication with the first storage layer (154, 454a), a plurality of second fluid communication channels disposed through the second storage layer (254, 454b), a second retainer disposed in each of the second fluid communication channels, wherein the second retainers substantially preclude deformation of the second storage layer (254, 454b) into the second fluid communication channels so as to substantially preclude blockage of the second fluid communication channels as the second storage layer (254, 454b) absorbs fluid communicated from the tissue site, wherein the second fluid communication channels are laterally offset from the first fluid communication channels; and a manifold layer to be positioned proximate the tissue site, a first storage layer (154, 454a) for absorbing fluid communicated from the tissue site and positioned proximate the manifold layer, a plurality of first fluid communication channels disposed through the first storage layer (154, 454a), a first retainer disposed in each of the first fluid communication channels, wherein the first retainers substantially preclude deformation of the first storage layer (154, 454a) into the first fluid communication channels so as to substantially preclude blockage of the first fluid communication channels as the first storage layer absorbs fluid communicated from the tissue site, a second storage layer (254, 454b) for absorbing fluid communicated from the tissue site and positioned in fluid communication with the first storage layer (154, 454a), a plurality of second fluid communication channels disposed through the second storage layer (254, 454b), a second retainer disposed in each of the second fluid communication channels, wherein the second retainers substantially preclude deformation of the second storage layer (254, 454b) into the second fluid communication channels so as to substantially preclude blockage of the second fluid communication channels as the second storage layer (254, 454b) absorbs fluid communicated from the tissue site, wherein the second fluid communication channels are laterally offset from the first fluid communication channels; and a sealing member to cover the dressing (220, 320, 420) and to provide a fluid seal between the sealing material and the tissue site.