This study investigates the impact of river discharge on the Adriatic Sea's climate projections, focusing on the role of river release in influencing local density stratification and sea level rise. The Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin with unique characteristics, is highly susceptible to climate change. The research employs a high-resolution climate downscaling approach, integrating atmospheric, hydrological, and marine circulation models to simulate the Adriatic water cycle from 1992 to 2050 under the RCP8.5 emission scenario. The study finds that river discharge is projected to decrease by approximately 35% in the mid-term future, significantly affecting the Northern Adriatic sub-basin, where haline-dominated stratification is prevalent. This reduction in river discharge leads to increased dense water formation and mitigates sea level rise in the Northern Adriatic. In contrast, the Southern Adriatic sub-basin is less affected, with future changes in other mechanisms, such as the properties of Mediterranean water entering the Otranto Strait, playing a more significant role. The study highlights the importance of incorporating high-resolution hydrology and hydrodynamics models in climate downscaling to accurately represent the link between surface buoyancy and stratification. The results suggest that the Adriatic Sea's future climate will be influenced by a combination of factors, including changes in river discharge, sea surface temperature, and salinity. The study provides the first evidence that reduced river discharge can reduce density stratification, increase dense water formation, and mitigate sea level rise in the Northern Adriatic, acting in opposition to global warming. The findings emphasize the need for high-resolution climate downscaling to better understand and predict the impacts of climate change on the Adriatic Sea and its surrounding regions.This study investigates the impact of river discharge on the Adriatic Sea's climate projections, focusing on the role of river release in influencing local density stratification and sea level rise. The Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin with unique characteristics, is highly susceptible to climate change. The research employs a high-resolution climate downscaling approach, integrating atmospheric, hydrological, and marine circulation models to simulate the Adriatic water cycle from 1992 to 2050 under the RCP8.5 emission scenario. The study finds that river discharge is projected to decrease by approximately 35% in the mid-term future, significantly affecting the Northern Adriatic sub-basin, where haline-dominated stratification is prevalent. This reduction in river discharge leads to increased dense water formation and mitigates sea level rise in the Northern Adriatic. In contrast, the Southern Adriatic sub-basin is less affected, with future changes in other mechanisms, such as the properties of Mediterranean water entering the Otranto Strait, playing a more significant role. The study highlights the importance of incorporating high-resolution hydrology and hydrodynamics models in climate downscaling to accurately represent the link between surface buoyancy and stratification. The results suggest that the Adriatic Sea's future climate will be influenced by a combination of factors, including changes in river discharge, sea surface temperature, and salinity. The study provides the first evidence that reduced river discharge can reduce density stratification, increase dense water formation, and mitigate sea level rise in the Northern Adriatic, acting in opposition to global warming. The findings emphasize the need for high-resolution climate downscaling to better understand and predict the impacts of climate change on the Adriatic Sea and its surrounding regions.