EXHIBIT 23 (1)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-54064, 33-54066, 33-54096, 33-57746, 33-57748, 33-86654, 33-20801, 333-53485,
333-53487 and 333-89071 on Form S-8 of Layne Christensen Company of our report
dated April 12, 2004, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Layne
Christensen Company for the year ended January 31, 2004.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our
aforementioned report also included the financial statement schedule of Layne
Christensen Company listed in Item 15 (a). This financial statement schedule is
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
April 13, 2004